This is where you will find schedules, predictions, scores and complete game coverage for Section 1 semifinal action. With the exception of the Class C semifinal game, we’ll be posting live updates. For those who need information as it happens, follow me on X @lohudhoopsmbd and for postgame interviews, follow me on Instagram @hoopsmbdlohud.
Check back each day before the games tip off to see my picks. I’ll be putting my winners in bold and celebrating the upsets, which make for better storylines.
Wednesday, March 4
Class AAA
Mamaroneck earns a shot at history
WHITE PLAINS – It took some doing, but Mamaroneck exorcised its demons.
The memory of past failed attempts faded quickly after the Tigers recovered from a bumpy start and sent Arlington home with a 54-38 victory in a Section 1 Class AAA semifinal on Wednesday at the Westchester County Center.
“It’s the first time ever in our school’s history,” Mamaroneck senior forward Will Plunkett said of the championship game berth. “It’s kind of unbelievable. The previous two years, to be here on the doorstep and not win hurt, so this is huge.”
The Tigers piled up wins in the regular season to get here in 2024 and 2025 then lost to New Rochelle and North Rockland. It was not for the lack of trying.
Ghosts of semifinals past were circling when they went 1-for-9 from the field to open the game.
“We definitely get nervous, but there’s a lot of excitement, too,” Tigers senior guard Brandon Burrell said. “We haven’t played our best in this building in the past but we stayed focused on the current moment. Every game is different and we came out with a different mindset.”
And it showed.
Burrell and Plunkett were committed to doing whatever they had to do to get Mamaroneck in position to win the program’s first sectional title.
And the Tigers’ defense was dialed all the way up from the start.
“It was max effort on every possession,” Burrell said.
Mamaroneck gets to come back at 1:30 p.m. Sunday and play league rival Mount Vernon. They split during the regular season.
“We know how good we are,” Plunkett said. “We know what we’re capable of so tonight was about forgetting the past, going possession by possession, hitting shots and believing in each other.”
Turning point
Jonny Smath came off the bench and dropped a 3 that gave Mamaroneck its first lead of the game with 5:47 to go in the half. Burrell quickly built momentum and had the Tigers up 24-17 going into the half. The level of efficiency went up after the break and Mamaroneck opened with a 10-3 run to get comfortable.
Box score
Arlington (15-7): Owen Birsner 10P; Anthony Harper 6P; Brady Dunne 6P; Cyrus Cowings 9P; Zach Butts 7P.
Mamaroneck (19-3): Brandon Burrell 27P; Sam McGill 2P; Will Plunkett 13P; Jack DiVito 2P; Jake Reese 3P; Jonny Smath 5P; Owen Reese 2P.
Takeaways
Given the past history of this group, Mamaroneck gets extra credit for the level of patience it displayed in the first quarter. There was no sign of panic or frustration. It’s a virtue that will come into play again in the final against Mount Vernon.
Arlington had a good run this season and the minutes this team earned in the County Center will provide a great foundation. There are some promising juniors on the roster, starting with Cowings. A return trip a year from now is a distinct possibility.
Live blog
No. 4 Arlington (15-6) vs. No. 1 Mamaroneck (18-3)
Starting lineups
Arlington: Kristian Williams; Owen Birsner; Brady Dunne: Cyrus Cowings; Zach Butts.
Mamaroneck: Jonah Walsh; Brandon Burrell; Will Plunkett; Jake Reese; T.J. Grimes.
First quarter
Mamaroneck is looking to dispatch the ghosts of County Center appearances past, but has started 0 for 5 with a turnover. … Tigers use a 30-second timeout to reset with 4:21 to go in the first, down 4-0. … Brandon Burrell gets to the rim and finishes. Mamaroneck is on the board with 2:41 to go in the quarter. … Admirals turnovers are creating opportunity. Burrell drops a 3 and the Tigers are within 10-8 with 52 seconds to go. End 1: Arlington 10, Mamaroneck 9.
Second quarter
Tigers have to be pleased only being down a point after starting 1 for 9 with a pair of turnovers. Defense got them on the right track. … Burrell finds Jonny Smath for a 3 with the shot clock at two. Mamaroneck has its first lead 14-13 with 5:47 to go in the half. … Arlington standout Cyrus Cowings got hit in the eye on the way to the hoop. Free throws coming following a time out. Good. Good. Admirals pull within 16-15. … Burrell with a picturesque 3-pointer. It’s a 21-15 lead with 3:58 to go in the second. … It’s been a physical game at both ends. … Burrell works around the Plunkett screen at the top of the key and scores with four seconds left. Halftime: Mamaroneck 24, Arlington 17.
Third quarter
Burrell opens the half with a quick bucket. Mamaroneck forces a turnover and Plunkett gets to the line for two. He’s good on both attempts. Tigers are up 28-17. … Zach Butts interrupts the run with a 3 for the Admirals. … Turnovers have been an issue for Arlington. T.J. Grimes corrals a loose ball and outlets to Burrell for a breakaway layup. Mamaroneck has a 32-20 lead with 4:36 to go in the third. … Plunkett steps through a double and finishes righty with 2:29 to go in the quarter to give the Tigers a 36-22 advantage. … Owen Birsner with a corner 3 to give the Admirals a shot of adrenaline. … A pair of Brady Dunne free throws bring Arlington within 9, but Plunkett gets to his right hand and finishes moving across the lane. It’s a 38-27 game with a minute left in the third. … Mamaroneck goes zone and Birsner hits a corner 3 in the last minute. Owen Reese fouled with 3.8 seconds to go and makes one free throw. End 3: Mamaroneck 39, Arlington 30.
Fourth quarter
Burrell uses the glass to get Mamaroneck’s first bucket of the quarter 90 seconds in. It’s a 41-30 lead. … Admirals have added two more turnovers to the pile. … Burrell with a deep 3 makes it a 14-foot hole for Arlington with 5:25 remaining. … Smath attacks the rim and riles up the student section above the floor. … Burrell with another killer 3. He’s got 27 points and Mamaroneck has a 49-34 lead with 3:26 left. Final: Mamaroneck 54, Arlington 38.
Mount Vernon is back in pursuit of a gold ball
WHITE PLAINS – Welcome home.
Mount Vernon came up a win short of the Westchester County Center a year ago but quickly settled back into the old routine. The Knights got after North Rockland from the jump Wednesday, posting a 48-32 win in a Section 1 Class AAA semifinal.
Another gold ball is within reach.
“Playing here is a nice reward for a pretty good season,” Mount Vernon coach Bob Cimmino said. “Our guys were ready for it. Zion (Watkins) had played here before. Kaiden (Tyler) had played here before. It’s always nice to win on this floor. There’s no place better, maybe just Madison Square Garden … but I’d rather play here.”
The Knights will return for a 1:30 p.m. tip on Sunday against Mamaroneck.
Mount Vernon was in control from the beginning. Few teams cover the big court defensively like the Knights, who managed just four buckets at the other end but held a 9-4 lead when the first quarter buzzer sounded.
The defensive intensity was right where it needed to be.
“It comes from coach and practice,” said Watkins, a senior guard. “There’s plenty of repetition and we go hard up and down the floor. Coach demands that so it’s always in the back of our minds when we play.”
Turnovers led to high-percentage scoring chances and when the Knights began to finish more efficiently, the lead grew.
“It definitely feels different, playing here,” senior forward B.J. Robinson said. “Me, Zion, Kaiden and Joseph (Holness) all have been here before so it’s nothing too crazy. And we really prepared for it.”
And there will be more of the same in the days ahead.
“We’ll see who our next opponent is and plan accordingly,” Cimmino added. “We’re lick our wounds, get rid of the lactic acids, move on to a heavy practice on Friday and Saturday and Sunday we’ll come back here and try to win.”
Turning point
Alex Quezada hit from behind the arc to bring the Red Raiders within a point in the opening minute of the second quarter. Tyler sparked a 12-0 run that largely featured Holeness and Watkins. It was a 21-8 lead when Ayden Pignard scored for North Rockland in the final minute.
Box score
North Rockland (17-5): Ehan Ilyas 13P; Sydney McMurrin 2P; Alex Quezada 3P; Ayden Pignard 4P; Kristian Fantuzzi 2P; Aaron Rivera 6P; Austin Norton 2P.
Mount Vernon (18-4): Zion Watkins 14P; Kaiden Tyler 9P; Tyrus Lee 5P; B.J. Robinson 7P; Wayne Dier 4P; Jayden Munroe 2P; Joseph Holness 5P; C.J. Tapia 2P.
Takeaways
Good defense is a product of athleticism and approach, but there’s one more element that comes into play on the big court here. “You have to communicate more,” Tyler said. “On the smaller courts, we might get away with a slip up or miscommunication. Not here so we have to make sure we’re communicating and looking out for each other.”
Defense is the priority, but the Knights always seem to have seven or eight players in the scorebook with multiple baskets. Tyler and Watkins are quick off the bounce and routinely break down the defenses. When help comes, the ball usually finds the open man under the rim.
Live blog
No. 3 North Rockland (16-4) vs. No. 2 Mount Vernon (16-4)
Starting lineups
North Rockland: Ehan Ilyas; Sydney McMurrin; Ayden Pignard; Aaron Rivera; LeSean Goode.
Mount Vernon: Kaiden Tyler; Tyrus Lee; B.J. Robinson; Zion Watkins Joseph Holdness.
First quarter
As expected, players are well-guarded at both ends. Tyrus Lee gets to the rim and finishes with 5:31 to go in the quarter to give Mount Vernon a 3-0 lead. … Ehan Ilyas gets the Red Raiders on the board. Robinson with a quck answer. It’s 7-2. … Wayne Dier is not in the official book so that’s a technical foul against the Knights. … North Rockland missed both free throws and then a field goal. No damage. … It’s a cold start for the Red Raiders, but Mount Vernon isn’t making them pay at the other end. …Ayden Pignard gets down the lane clean and scores to make it 7-5 in the final minute. End 1. Mount Vernon 9, North Rockland 5.
Second quarter
Alex Quezada drops a 3 to get the Red Raiders within a point. Kaiden Tyler follows with the midrange jumper. The Knights lead 11-8. … Joseph Holness with the post, catch, pivot and dunk. Mount Vernon has a 15-8 lead with 5:14 to go in the half. Time out North Rockland. … Zion Watkins uses that speedy first step to get a layup. It’s a 20-8 lead. … Pignard gets to the line and ends a 10-0 Knights run. It’s a 21-10 deficit. … Ilyas with a short jumper makes it a nine-point gap. Halftime: Mount Vernon 21, North Rockland 12.
Third quarter
Nice start for Mount Vernon. B.J. Robinson finds a back-cutting Tyler for an easy bucket. Much better patience. … Watkins drive and kick. Tyler hits the 3 and the Knights are up 26-12 with 6:13 to go in the quarter. … North Rockland continues to deal with an unkind rim. … Robinson with a second-chance 3 makes it a 15-point lead. Sydney McMurrin has the only Red Raiders field goal this half. … Watkins elevates for a rebound, scores and is fouled with 2:21 to go in the quarter. Free throw is all net and the Knights are up 36-17. … Aaron Rivera is heating up for North Rockland. He’s good for 3 from the corner and it’s a 16-point deficit. … Tyler creates a turnover and Watkins collects the loose ball for a layup. End 3: Mount Vernon 40, North Rockland 22.
Fourth quarter
Ilyas with the rebound and score to get the Red Raiders within 44-26 with five minutes to play. … Experience is typically a big help at the County Center and North Rockland came in with more of it than Mount Vernon, which did not survive the quarterfinals last year. … Back to the experience note, the Knights have used 12 players here. A County Center run is the prize for a year’s worth of work. Final: Mount Vernon 48, North Rockland 32.
Tuesday, March 3
Class B
Woodlands picks up the intensity and moves on
WHITE PLAINS – Hands up!
After letting Blind Brook flirted with an upset, Woodlands rediscovered the power of defensive intensity and quickly turned a deflection into a decisive run. The Falcons set up a potential three-peat with a 76-54 victory Tuesday in a Section 1 Class B semifinal at the Westchester County Center.
The mood was light again after the buzzer.
“I’m not going to lie, we looked nervous or something,” Woodlands forward Sean McKenney said. “But something clicked in the middle of the game and we got it turned around. We’re a lot better when the ball is moving. We have great players, a lot of great pieces so when the ball is moving around we’re hard to stop.”
The Falcons return Sunday at 7:30 to play Dobbs Ferry in the championship.
Woodlands rolled to an 11-0 lead, but the impressive start was soon overshadowed by a scrappy Trojans rally. Tyler Taerstein knotted the score 14-14 three minutes into the second quarter.
“I don’t think we were working hard enough on defense,” Woodlands guard Aaron Woodberry said. “They started hitting shots but we stayed composed, regrouped and started working harder.”
Woodberry and McKenney began to find open teammates who converted easy baskets and the hands were suddenly active on the other end. The defense fueled a 22-0 run that gave the second and third string a chance to get on the big court.
“Given the fact we’re mostly seniors, everybody is determined to get back to states,” McKenney said. “It means everything to us.”
Turning point
Sebastian Lim and Taerstein got the Trojans within 39-32 in the closing minutes of the third quarter, but McKenney started and ended a 22-0 run that extended into the fourth quarter. The bulk of it came over a span of two minutes.
Box score
Blind Brook (15-7): Tyler Taerstein 10P; Sebastian Lim 7P; Stephan Grazio 3P; Ryan Brown 9P; Jayson Aguilar 18P; Daniel Glantz 1P; Bennett Cuesta 2P.
Woodlands (20-2): Noah Cherubin 20P; Aaron Woodberry 28P; Sebastian Benitez 7P; Sean McKenney 11P; Muhammad Ibraheem 4P; Jaden Gatson 3P; Jayden Vasquez 2P; Maximus McCoy 1P.
Takeaways
Woodlands clearly eased up after getting off to a big start in a game where it was a considerable favorite. The Falcons easily won a pair of games against Blind Brook in the regular season. And once that momentum was gone, it was not easy to get back. There’s a lesson in that.
Experience is what kept the Falcons calm when the Trojans got feisty.
“Most of the guys have been to states twice,” Woodberry said. “We fell short both times, so we have to work hard to get back. It starts in practice. We have to push ourselves more and stay together as a team.”
Live blog
No. 5 Blind Brook (15-7) vs. No. 1 Woodlands (19-2)
Starting lineups
Blind Brook: Sebastin Lim; Ryan Brown; Cooper Smith; Tyler Taerstein; Stephen Grazio.
Woodlands: Noah Cherubin; Aaron Woodberry; Sebastian Benitez; Sean McKenney; Jaden Gaston.
First quarter
Sean McKenney creates a turnover and feeds Woodberry for a layup. Falcons are up 4-0. … Blind Brook is having a hard time getting a good look, but Woodlands is not taking advantage. … A second-chance bucket from Woodberry has the Falcons up 9-0 and he adds to the lead at the rim the next time down. Time out Trojans with 3:05 to go in the quarter. … Tyler Taerstein prevents the shutout with 1:43 to go in the first. … Woodlands is kind of all over the place and Blind Brook is clawing back. End 1: Woodlands 13, Blind Brook 10.
Second quarter
We’re going back and forth now. Taerstein attacks the rim and knots the score. Cherubin answers with a 3 to make it a 17-14 Falcons lead. … Woodberry 3-point play to make it a 20-16 advantage with 4:26 to go in the half. … Woodberry elevates and finishes with 1:59 to go. Falcons are up 24-18. … The Trojans are scrapping. Jayson Aguilar gets to the line and it’s 25-20 in the last minute. Halftime: Woodlands 25, Blind Brook 20.
Third quarter
Just for reference, these teams met twice in the regular season. Woodlands came away with 21- and 16-point wins. … Sebastian Lim from behind the arc has Blind Brook within 28-23. … Woodberry gets a steal and finishes with a spin but Lim connected again from deep. It’s a 32-26 game. … McKenney sets up a three-point play from Jaden Gasten and it’s 35-26. … Woodlands is starting to look for the open man. Woodberry hits Cherubin for a layup and it’s an 8-point lead then finds Sebastian Benitez to make it 39-20 with 3:37 to go in the quarter. … Trojans battle to within seven, then McKenney posts up and powers in for three the old-fashioned way. … It’s a 12-3 run. McKenney kicks out to Benitez for a 3 that forces a Blind Brook time out. Woodlands is up 47-32 with 1:19 to go in the third. … A motivated defense has the Falcons in high gear. They’ve scored 15 points in less than two minutes and are up 23. End 3. Woodlands 55, Blind Brook 32.
Fourth quarter
More of the same. McKenney with the putback gives the Falcons a 61-34 lead. … The Woodlands run hit 22-0 until Brown hit a 3 with 5:31 remaining. … Everybody is getting a run on the County Center floor now. Final: Wopodlands 76, Blind Brook 54.
Dobbs Ferry teams up for a semifinal win
WHITE PLAINS – The biggest win of the season took a village.
Dobbs Ferry came into a Section 1 Class B semifinal against rival Hastings knowing the usual dose of Anthony Ficarrotta wasn’t going to be enough. And the Yellow Jackets went all in on stopping the section’s all-time leading scorer.
Somebody had to stand and deliver.
Mateus Hertz-Bird, Calvin Higgins, Andrew Zendel and Thomas Joslin all had a profound impact during a 69-61 win over Hastings on Tuesday at the Westchester County Center.
“This was big for our team,” Eagles coach Scott Patrillo said.
Dobbs Ferry came up short in the semifinals each of the previous two seasons, falling to Hamilton in 2024 and Woodlands in 2025.
“It’s huge to get over that hump and go compete for a championship,” said Ficarrotta, who finished with 31 points despite the extra attention. “We’re going to have a good week of practice and be ready to go.”
Up next is Woodlands on Sunday at 7:30 p.m.
Zendel suffered a knee injury during the football season and was cleared to return for the playoffs. The junior forward sat through every practice this season to ensure he would be ready to lend a hand.
He came off the bench and scored 10 points, all of them timely.
“A gold ball would mean everything,” Zendel said. “We’ve been to the County Center three years in a row. … This is the best we’ve been. This is the most we’ve worked and we want it more than anything.”
Turning point
The Yellow Jackets threw a triangle-and-two zone at Ficarrotta and Dobbs Ferry needed a moment to adjust. Higgins sparked a second-quarter rally and Joslin kept it going with a 3 that knotted the score 14-14. Hastings sharpshooter Hudson Sundberg hit from behind the arc with 5:14 to go in the half, but Hertz-Bird and Zendel triggered a 13-0 run. When the buzzer sounded, the Eagles were up 27-17.
“I was not surprised at all,” Ficarrotta said. “I trust all four of my teammates out there with me. I knew they were going to come alive. It took a few minutes for them to warm up and once they figured out what the defense was doing, we were ready to go. They knocked down shots and that gave me a few openings and once we all got going, we had some momentum.”
Box score
Hastings (15-7): Dylan Heilkka 28P; Hudson Sundberg 13P; Michael Leyden 11P; Lucas Seelye 3P; Theo Suniewick 6P.
Dobbs Ferry (18-4): Calvin Higgins 11P; Thomas Joslin 8P; Mateus Hertz-Bird 6P; Parker Medlin 2P; Andrew Zendel 11P; Anthony Ficarrotta 31P.
Takeaways
Winning a gold ball is going to require another joint effort and Dobbs Ferry’s confidence is up after manufacturing this kind of win on this kind of stage. The Eagles’ last Section 1 title came in 2019.
Ficarrotta has always put this pursuit of a gold ball above his personal record-setting achievements. That was obvious in the early going when he patiently kept the two defenders company while his teammates figured things out.
Live blog
No. 3 Hastings (15-6) vs. No. 2 Dobbs Ferry (17-4)
Starting lineups
Hastings: Dylan Heilkka; Hudson Sundberg; Michael Leyden; Lucas Seelye; Theo Suniewick.
Dobbs Ferry: Calvin Higgins; Nastiek Smith; Mateus Hertz-Bird; Parker Medlin; Anthony Ficarrotta.
First quarter
Nastiek Smith is on Hastings’ leading scorer Dylan Heilkka and picks up a quick foul. … Great start for the Yellow Jackets, then Calvin Higgins gets Dobbs Ferry on the board. It’s a 5-3 Hastings lead. … Yellow Jackets are playing a triangle-and-two zone against Section 1’s all-time leading scorer, Anthony Ficarrotta, daring somebody else to beat them. And it’s working, so far. … Theo Suniewick gets to the line and makes two, giving Hastings a 9-5 edge with 4:15 to go in the quarter. … Ficarrotta gets to the rim and spins the ball off the glass and in. Eagles are within a bucket. He’s got six points so far. End 1: Hastings 11, Dobbs Ferry 9.
Second quarter
Hudson Sundberg still has a hot hand. He just dropped his second 3 of this contest after making seven from deep in the quarters. Hastings leads 14-5. … Thomas Joslin comes off the bench for Dobbs and briefly knots the score for the Eagles with 5:24 to go in the half, but Sundberg quickly drills another one to make it a17-14 game. … Tie game. Mateus Hertz-Bird with the pull-up with 3:53 to go. … Ficarrotta has gotten loose and the Eagles are on a run. He’s got back-to-back, three-point plays and Dobbs Ferry is up 24-17. … It’s a 13-0 run. Ficarrotta from 3. … Eagles finish on a 13-0 run and Ficarrotta had the last nine. Halftime: Dobbs Ferry 27, Hastings 17.
Third quarter
Hastings is back to the triangle-and-two. … Andrew Zendel left open, hits a 3 and gives the Eagles a 32-21 lead with 4:34 to go in the quarter. … Joslin and Sundberg trade 3s. Dobbs Ferry is up 37-37 with 2:44 left in the third. … Ficarrotta with the steal and push. He finds Higgins for the reverse layup and the Eagles are sitting on a 41-27 cushion. … Michael Leyden cuts into the deficit from the line, hits four times and it’s a 10-point game. … Ficarrotta holds for one, beats three defenders and converts the reverse layup. End 3: Dobbs Ferry 45, Hastings 33.
Fourth quarter
Hertz-Bird drives and kicks to Higgins for a corner 3. The Eagles have a 50-36 lead with 5:17 to play. … It’s a minor Yellow Jackets run. Suniewick with the offensive rebound. Sundberg 1 of 2 at the line. The deficit is 52-41 with 4:10 left. … Turnover against the press. Lucas Seelye with an easy layup for Hastings and it’s a nine-point gap. … Zendel with a timely 3 for the Eagles to end the run. … Heilkka drives and draws the foul with 2:47 remining. The free throw is good and the Yellow Jackets are within 56-49. … Another turnover against the press leads to another Heilkka bucket. It’s a five-point lead with 2:30 to play. Dobbs Ferry calls time after throwing the ball away again. … Yellow Jackets miss. … Ficarrotta gets a three-point play to settle a few nerves. … Ficarrotta picks up his fourth foul. Heilkka make both free throws and Hastings is back within 61-55. … Zendel with a huge putback for the Eagles. It’s an eight-point lead. … Heilkka with two more free throws. He came alive in the fourth quarter. Yellow Jackets trail 66-58 with 44.6 seconds left. … Ficarrotta pulls up, turns the ball over and fouls out with 35 seconds on the clock. Hertz-Bird committed his fifth seconds before. The lead is 66-59. Final: Dobbs Ferry 69, Hastings 61
Monday, March 2
Class AA
Rye leaves Suffern at the starting line
WHITE PLAINS – Rye got off to a start that was so improbably remarkable, both teams looked at the scoreboard in disbelief when a timeout was called six minutes into the game.
And it snowballed from there.
The Garnets were unstoppable in the first half then weathered each rally in the second half and put themselves back into the Section 1 Class AA championship game with a 60-49 win over Suffern on Monday at the Westchester County Center.
It was a virtuoso performance.
“They came in as the one seed and we’re the five seed, pretty big underdogs,” Rye forward Henry Shoemaker said. “We knew if we played our kind of basketball, we could win this game. And then we come out like that, you could feel the energy, you could see all the work everyone has put in and everyone was making shots. … Everyone came to play. It’s the County Center, baby, anything can happen.”
Ben Hudson was the catalyst. He made good on three attempts from behind the arc in the first quarter to spot the Garnets an 18-4 lead.
In the second quarter, Rye had three players come off the bench with a splash.
Ryan Hess, Callahan Wing and Gavin McKiernan all made shots to keep the Mounties in chase mode. The Garnets connected from behind the arc eight times before the intermission, which only fueled the intensity at the other end of the court.
“We’re not known for our 3-point prowess,” Rye guard Carson Miller said. “Historically, we’ve struggled at the County Center, like a lot of teams. It’s a tough place to shoot and I didn’t see us blitzing them like we did, shooting 50% or whatever from 3. That being said, our defense was really, really electric and that’s what gets us going.”
The Garnets will face Clarkstown North on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
It will be their third straight finals appearance. Rye lost the Class A title game to Byram Hills in 2024 and lost in the Class AA championship game against Tappan Zee a year ago.
“We have unfinished business,” Shoemaker said. “Clarkstown North is a really good team so we’re going to prepare well for them. It’s going to be a hell of a game.”
Turning point
Given the past struggles from long distance, the Garnets drew inspiration from Hudson’s effortless 3-pointers in the first quarter. He never blinked. Miller dropped one more from beyond the arc to make it a 21-4 cushion in the closing seconds of the first quarter.
Box score
Rye (18-5): Ben Hudson 14P; Carson Miller 13P; Henry Shoemaker 19P; Luke Scully 3P; Gavin McKiernan 2P; Callahan Wing 6P; Ryan Hess 3P.
Suffern (20-3): Paul Velez 15P; Jake Pampolina 19P; Arthur Mpesha 4P; Jaiden Clemente 6P; Kobe Thornton 5P.
Takeaways
Shoemaker has elevated his game in the playoffs figuratively and literally. He again came down with every must-have rebound when the Mounties were fighting to make it a single-digit deficit. Sebastian Lewis did not score a point for the Garnets, but he contributed four or five impact plays. He’s clearly not 100%, but nothing is slowing him down right now.
The Mounties won by 21 at Rye back in January and quickly found out that was a not the same Garnets team. Suffern is usually the more athletic team but there was very separation this time around.
Live blog
No. 5 Rye (17-5) vs. No. 1 Suffern (19-2)
Starting lineups
Rye: Ben Hudson; Carson Miller; Sebastian Lewis; Henry Shoemaker; Luke Skully.
Suffern: Paul Velez; Jake Pampolina; Arthur Mpesha; Jaiden Clemente; Kobe Thornton.
First quarter
There are a lot of athletes in a limited space for this one. … Rye is playing man and Carson Miller is on Jake Pampolina. … Ben Hudson with a 3 and later a hanging jumper has the Garnets up 5-4 with three minutes gone. … Make it 8-4 as Hudson drops another trey. … Hudson finds Shoemaker on a back cut for an easy two and the free throw. Rye leads 11-4 with 3:34 to go in the quarter. … Shoemaker in transition (and Rye is flying up and down the court right now) makes it a 15-4 start for the Garnets. … The only dark cloud for Rye is Sebastian Lewis sustaining an arm injury on an aggressive tap out rebound. He’s on the bench getting looked at. … Miller for 3 off the Shoemaker kick out ups the cushion to 21-4, then Pampolina scores at the buzzer. End 1: Rye 21, Suffern 6.
Second quarter
Paul Velez narrows the gap, converting the and-one, but Ryan Hess answers with a 3 and Shoemaker gets space at the rim and has the Garnets in front 26-9. … Velez with the jumper and the Mounties take a quick timeout, down 29-13 with 4:21 to go in the half. … Everybody in the pool! Callahan Wing comes off the bench for a 3 and the Garnets are up 32-13. … Shoemakers picks up a second foul with 2:51 to go and takes a seat. Not to worry, though, Wing just dropped another open look from behind the arc and Rye is up 20. … Side note, Rye had a night like Suffern is enduring right now back on Jan. 16 when the Garnets lost at home by 19 to the Mounties. … Kobe Thornton whistled for a third foul. He’s on the bench for the rest of the quarter. … Suffern has a little run going. Pampolina in traffic makes it 35-19 with 1:23 left in the second. … Milo Shirakawa with the interception and outlet. Wing with the feed. Gavin McKiernan with the bucket. Everyone is contributing for Rye. Halftime: Rye 37, Suffern 21.
Third quarter
Rye opens with a stop, then Miller goes one end to the other for a layup. … Pampolina full speed ahead, finishes with a nifty move at the rim and the Mounties are within39-25 with 5:10 to go in the quarter. … Suffern has slowed the Garnets down. Pampolina draws his second charge and Jaiden Clemente scores to make it 40-27. … Pampolina gets just enough space to launch a 3 and he connects, making it a 44-32 deficit with 2:01 to go in the third. … Hudson responds with a 3 off an inbounds play. End 3: Rye 48, Suffern 35.
Fourth quarter
Pampolina threads his way to the rim and makes it a 48-37 deficit in the opening minute of the quarter. … Velez elevates and scores from 10 feet. It’s a 10-point game with 6:01 to play. … Rye is getting to the rim but isn’t finishing. … We’ve double foul on a block/charge pile up involving Miller and Pampolina. … Mounties had two scoring chances at the rim. Missed them both and Shoemaker gets a huge rebound. Miller scores at the other end to settle the Garnets. It’s a 51-39 lead. … Miller cuts baseline and Shoemakers gets him the ball for a layup with 3:35 left. Rye leads by 14. … Pampolina comes up limping following a miss in traffic. Time out Suffern. … Mounties are back within 10 with 1:30 to go on Arthur Mpesha’s putback. It’s a 53-43 game. … Suffern is giving fouls to stop the clock. Luke Scully drops a free throw and the Garnets are up 55-45 with 45 seconds to go. Final: Rye 60, Suffern 49.
Clarkstown North is one win away from something big
WHITE PLAINS – When the season began, Clarkstown North believed it was on the verge of something unprecedented.
Now the Rams know they are.
A decisive 53-41 semifinal win over Yorktown on Monday at the Westchester County Center landed North in the Section 1 Class AA championship game.
“I’ve been around basketball for 30 years and this team, from Day 1, had something I can’t put into words,” Rams coach Kenny Amparo said. “Now it’s about accomplishing this goal. We’re doing it for Rockland County. We’re doing it for Clarkstown North, but it’s more about this team and finishing the job. It’s not about getting on the map. If we win, everybody will know who we are and what we did this season.”
The Rams have never won a Section 1 title.
“I can’t even explain it, we’ve been working so hard for this for so long,” senior forward Rotimi Esiso said. “We knew we were capable. It just came down to executing. We have such a great group of guys. We all love each other. It’s a family. And that makes it easier to go out there and play great ball.”
It was the program’s first County Center appearance since 1985, so much of the first quarter was spent getting adjusted.
North had an 11-7 lead after the first quarter, then upped the pace of play and went up 19-9 when Esiso and Kyle Kirkland began stringing baskets together. The defensive intensity was a constant. When the Huskers began to piece a rally together, a couple of timely rebounds and committed runouts kept the Rams on top.
“Coach puts us in sets that make the most of our abilities,” Kirkland said. “He reminded us that you win based on your defense, not your offense. He also told us to play physical, which we did very well today, and we played together.”
Turning point
Franklin Ringel scored on an inbounds play with 4:30 to go and brought Yorktown within 38-34, but Jack Kavanagh went into attack mode, sparking a 10-2 run that created breathing room down the stretch.
Box score
Yorktown (20-3): Colin Worden 12P; Connor Morhardt 7P; Franklin Ringel 2P; Tyler Galante 14P; Sean Davis 6P.
Clarkstown North (20-3): Kyle Kirkland 16P, 11 R; Sean Bankey 3P; Jarius Carreno 3P; Jack Kavanagh 8P, 8R; Alexander Antoine 2P; Rotimi Esiso 21P, 16R.
Takeaways
It’s good to see a team celebrate a semifinal win. In the age of the business trip mentality, Clarkstown North didn’t bother to mask its excitement after moving to within a win of the program’s first-ever Section 1 title.
The Rams play Rye on Saturday at 7:30 p.m.
“We’re not dreaming about winning,” Kirkland said. “We’re hoping to come back and do it. We’re definitely going to be happy about this for the next few days, but we’re going to get back down to business and get ourselves prepared for Saturday.”
Esiso’s ability to step outside the paint and impact the game is a problem for defenses. The Huskers surrounded him early, but he got away from the crowd, knocked a pair of 3s down and used his mobility and handle to get to the free throw line.
Live blog
No. 2 Yorktown (20-2) vs. No. 3 Clarkstown North (19-3)
Starting lineups
Yorktown: Colin Worden; Lucas Schrade; Connor Morhardt; Franklin Ringel; Sean Davis.
Clarkstown North: Kyle Kirkland; Justin Santos; Sean Bankey; Jack Kavanagh; Rotimi Esiso.
First quarter
Yorktown opens with an interesting 1-2-2 zone and Sean Bankey goes right over the top for 3 to give the Rams an early 3-2 lead. … Kyle Kirkland is good from deep the next time down. … The zone has North standout Rotimi Eiso surrounded now. … Both sides are struggling to convert. The Rams are up 7-5 with 1:49 to go in the quarter. … Clarkstown North hasn’t been here since 1985 so it’s going to take a minute to settle. … Huskers shooting guard Connor Morhardt is on the board and it’s 7-7. End 1: Clarktown North 11, Yorktown 7
Second quarter
Colin Worden gets into the paint and uses the glass to bring the Huskers within 11-9, 5:47 to go in the half. … Esiso answers with his first bucket, a soft jumper from the baseline. … Rams have sped the game up. Stops are turning into layups. Kyle Kirkland scores in transition with 4:02 to go to make it a 19-9 cushion. … Yorktown is getting the looks it likes. Huskers are not finishing, though. … Tyler Galante ends the run with a three-point play and Worden converts the and-one next time down. Yorktown is within 19-15 with 3:11 to go in the second. … Galante and Esiso trade 3s. Halftime: Clarkstown North 22, Yorktown 18.
Third quarter
Worden gets to the rim. Yorktown is within 25-22 with 6:26 to go in the quarter. … Rams have done a good job making sure Morhardt isn’t getting space on the perimeter. … Esiso with a straightaway 3 gives North a 28-22 edge. … After hanging out on the perimeter, Esiso ventures back inside and converts the and-one to make it a seven-point game with 3:13 to go in the third. … Galante from behind the arc. Kirkland answers and has the Rams on top 36-29. … Esiso with 10 points in the quarter. End of 3. Clarkstown North 38, Yorktown 30.
Fourth quarter
Yorktown opens the quarter with five consecutive stops, but have only converted once at the other end so far. Galante with the bucket. Rams are up 38-32 with 5:34 to go. … Franklin Ringel off the inbound has the Huskers within 38-34, but Kavanagh gets North untracked at the other end. … Clarkstown North is getting rebounds and running. A pair of Kirkland free throws has the Rams up 44-34 with 3:14 to go. … Kavanagh from the line gives the Rams a 46-35 advantage. … Yorktown has gone cold. North can sense it with 48 seconds to go. Final: Clarkstown North 53, Yorktown 41.
Sunday, March 1
Class C
North Salem gets championship rematch with Tuckahoe
WHITE PLAINS – There’s one more box to check off.
North Salem posted an 86-50 win over Children’s Village in a Section 1 Class C semifinal on Sunday at the Westchester County Center to set up a championship rematch with Tuckahoe.
The sting of a loss a year ago was motivating.
“We fell short last year and we’ve gotten ourselves another chance,” said North Salem coach Chris Brandt. “I was the assistant coach last year and I’ve seen how much these boys improved over the last year. This has been our goal since Nov. 17.”
Tuckahoe is the No. 1 seed and had a bye with only three Class C teams deciding to play in the postseason. North Salem lost last year’s title game 61-47 and fell 69-58 when the two met on Feb. 10. The championship game is Saturday at 1:30 p.m.
“It’s an opportunity for us to make up for last year, but we know it’s gonna be a battle,” senior guard Jameson Juan said. “We’ll do everything we can to come out on top. … We have to stay focused and get ready for them, because we know that’s gonna be our biggest game.”
Stephen Haynes contributed to this recap.
Box score
No. 3 Children’s Village: Nazir Troutman 7P; Deon Martin 15P; Dauguan Cherry 13P; Deandre Williams 6P; Christos Snyder 2P; Malik Williams 7P.
No. 1 North Salem: James Nemeth 5P; Jameson Juan 21P; Max Cotrone 11P; Lucas Virzi 14P; Bryce Bryant 8P; Sean Randall 13P; Patrick Fitzgerald2P; Isaiah Jeter8P; Braeden Kennedy 4P.
No. 1 Tuckahoe (9-10) bye
Saturday, Feb. 28
Class A
Tappan Zee is locks in and locks down Westlake
WHITE PLAINS – The catalog of memorable defensive stands is growing.
Tappan Zee did not score a single third-quarter field goal in a Section 1 Class A semifinal against Westlake and still extended its lead.
It’s what these guys do.
The Dutchmen clamped down on the Wildcats and put themselves in position to celebrate another championship with a 47-33 win on Saturday at the Westchester County Center.
“We’re always stuck in the moment, but when you look at the end of the game and see you held a team under 30 or 35 or 40 points, that’s something,” Tappan Zee senior forward Isaiah Leveille said. “A lot of people don’t see the mental and physical toll it takes … but we know if we hold a team in the 30s, we’re always going to have a chance.”
Despite the grind, the Wildcats maintained their own defensive fire and hung around. Westlake only converted four times from the field in the first half and were down 21-10 at the break.
Tappan Zee won the Class AA title a year ago and despite significant roster turnover is only giving up 38 points a game so far this season.
Only the names have changed.
“There was a sense of calm before the game for some reason,” first-year coach Ryan McWilliams said. “They guys just felt very confident. Westlake is a strong team, very well-coached and Marcus Jackette is a heck of a player, so I’m really proud of the kids for doing our thing defensively. We have a lot of young players this season and they did a great job.”
Turning point
Westlake did not score a point in the last five minutes of the third quarter but was only down 12. There was hope until Christian Sanchez dropped a pair of 3s early in the fourth to give the Dutchmen a 39-19 cushion with 3:50 to go.
Box score
No. 4 Westlake (18-5): Eoin Lynch 8P; George Krasnici 3P; Jayson Aprea 4P; Nicolas Stancarone 6P; Marcus Jackette 8P; Liam Hannon 1P; Anthony Nigrelli 3P.
No. 1 Tappan Zee (20-2): Isaiah Leveille 18P; Christian Sanchez 12P; Jack Piccione 5P; Joe Linehan 5P; Timothy Alexandre 7P.
Takeaways
Tappan Zee will be squaring off against Byram Hills for the championship on Friday at 7:30 p.m. The Dutchmen beat the defending Class A champs 46-38 in late January. Both programs were in Binghamton for states a year ago and have been able to meet high expectations despite coaching and personnel changes.
“We don’t look too far ahead,” TZ senior point guard Jack Piccione said. “If we don’t win the section, it’s not like the season’s a failure. We’re trying to get better each day and that will take us where we want to go. We’re not looking to meet an expectation. We’re more about building an amazing group and making lifelong friends.
The defense was dialed in from the jump, as usual, but Tappan Zee has to get back to basics on the other end of the court. The Dutchmen had an unusually high number of wasted possessions.
“We have to tighten things up, obviously,” Leveille said. “You don’t always play exactly the way you want to, but we always find a way and that’s another thing we pride ourselves in, finding a way. We’re just a really gritty group.”
Live blog
No. 4 Westlake (18-4) vs. No. 1 Tappan Zee (19-2)
Starting lineups
Starting lineups
No. 4 Westlake: Eoin Lynch; Nicolas Stancarone; Marcus Jackette; Liam Hannon; Anthony Nigrelli.
No. 1 Tappan Zee: Isaiah Leveille; Christian Sanchez; Jack Piccione; Joe Linehan; Timothy Alexandre.
First quarter
Tappan Zee starts 0 for 2, but Timmy Alexandre drops a 3, the Dutchmen force a turnover, Isaiah Leveille gets to the ine at the other end and sinks the free throws. TZ is up 5-2. … Westlake is struggling to find some flow. Three early turnovers have been the culprit. … Leveille with a confident 3 gets the Dutchmen up 8-3 with 2:35 to go in the first. … Shot clock violation. Make that four turnovers. … Marcus Jackette ends nearly four-minute Wildcats scoring drought, hitting from a full step behind the NBA arc. End 1: Tappan Zee 10, Westlake 6.
Second quarter
Dutchmen are doing what they do on the defensive end and slowly increasing the lead. Chris Sanchez gets the offensive board and bucket to make it a 16-8 cushion with 5:08 to go in the half. … A corner 3 from Joe Linehan has Tappan Zee up 19-18. … Jackette takes advantage of some clean air and gets Westlake’s third field goal of the game. He’s not getting much room to breathe. Jack Piccione is locked on. How good is this defense? The Dutchmen only have fseven field goals in the half, but lead by 11. Halftime: Tappan Zee 21, Westlake 10.
Third quarter
Wildcats have come out flexing on the defensive end and have climbed within 21-14. Tappan Zee still looking for its first points of the half three-plus minutes in. … Sanchez gets to the line late in the shot clock and ends the drought. … The obvious answer to constant defensive pressure is to push the pace against Tappan Zee, but the Dutchmen fly back on defense to deny transition. … Dutchmen go a full quarter without a field goal and increase the lead. That’s hard to do. End 3: Tappan Zee 26, Westlake 14.
Fourth quarter
Piccione feeds Leveille in the lane. Bucket. TZ has a 29-16 lead with 6:04 to go. … Sanchez with a 3 just before the shot clock buzzer. And the Dutchmen are up 32-16. … For the Section 1 history buffs, Tappan Zee beat Somers 39-15 in the Class A final three years ago. … Eoin Lynch has been solid all game for Westlake. He just pulled up and connected from deep to end the Dutchmen run. … It’s gotten a little choppy here. Lynch gets three the old-fashioned way and cuts the deficit to 42-33 with 1:08 to play, but Leveille quickly gets tot he line and makes it a 10-point advantage. Final: Tappan Zee 47, Westlake 33.
Byram Hills lays the groundwork for a three-peat
WHITE PLAINS – Logistics play a role in every championship run.
And few teams are more familiar with the nuts and bolts of winning a gold ball than Byram Hills, which is in play for a third straight Section 1 Class A championship after holding off Pearl River and posting a 51-47 win on Saturday at the Westchester County Center.
The postseason pressure is more of a speed bump and less of a hurdle.
“Our experience definitely helps a lot,” Bobcats senior guard Kevin Kendall said. “We played a hard schedule this season and that challenge got us ready for the playoffs. All our guys are kind of used to the moment now.”
Byram Hills will be making a fourth straight championship game appearance, which given the amount of turnover is a noteworthy feat.
The Bobcats will return to face Tappan Zee at 7:30 p.m. on Friday.
“We’re lucky to have kids that played some big minutes in big games,” first-year Byram Hills coach James Morales said. “And we rely on them a lot. Ben Wolf. Max Miller. Kevin Kendall. They were ready for this. And we prep a lot for this kind of game in practice … so everyone was ready for the moment.”
Turning point
Both sides had a two-minute scoring drought in the fourth quarter, but Wolf restarted the Bobcats, breaking a 41-41 deadlock and Cole Brocchini extended the lead with four minutes to play. The Pirates went into attack mode, but Kendall and Wolf answered each bucket.
Box score
No. 3 Pearl River (17-6): T.J. Lanese 15P; Ryan Houston 15P; Brendan Orr 4P; Jack Pritts 13P.
No. 2 Byram Hills (19-4): Ben Wolf 23P, 14R; Kevin Kendall 18P; Aiden Sokoloff 6P; Max Miller 2P; Cole Brocchini 2P.
Takeaways
Wolf and Kendall were playing supporting roles a year ago. They are headliners now and have quickly developed a seamless relationship between the lines. “We’re a one-two punch,” said Wolf, a junior center. “We really work well together. We communicate and play off each other. We built so much chemistry these last three years and now we’re brothers.” And when they pose for a family photo, Max Miller is right in the middle. The senior point guard is the connective tissue. “Max is everything,” Wolf added. “He’s a great leader. When somebody gets mad or things aren’t going well, he brings us back together. He pushes the ball. He locks up the best player. I mean, he’s the player you want on a high school basketball team.”
LIVE BLOG
No. 3 Pearl River (17-5) vs. No. 2 Byram Hills (18-4)
Starting lineups
No. 3 Pearl River: T.J. Lanese; Ryan Houston; Sean Donohue; Brendan Orr; Jack Pritts.
No. 2 Byram Hills: Ben Wolf; Kevin Kendall; Aiden Sokoloff; Max Miller; Cole Brocchini.
First quarter
We are under way. T.J. Lanese with a kickout 3 to give Pearl River a 5-4 lead. … Both teams are calmly running their offensive sets, which is a great way to ease nervous players into the game. … And right when I hit publish we get a couple of airballs from deep. … We’re up to five lead changes. Ben Wolf gets the putback with 2:19 to go in the quarter and the Bobcats are up 8-7. … Back and forth. … Jack Pritts beats the shot clock with a 3 to give the Pirates an 11-8 edge. End 1: Pearl River 11, Byram Hills 10.
Second quarter
Kevin Kendall is on the board with the and-one. Byram Hills is leading 13-11. … Bobcats had five turnovers in the first quarter. And they continue to live dangerously, making long entry passes. … Pearl River is on a 5-0 run and is up 16-15. Lanese hit his second 3 and Pritts got a transition bucket. … Pirates use a lot of clock at the offensive end, but this Byram Hills zone is slowing them down more. … We now have a cell phone issue. Byram Hills student section went flashlights on during free throws so the Pearl River kids returned the favor at the other end. And now both sides have been given the cease and desist order. … Max Miller with a floater in the land has the Bobcats up 20-19 with 58 seconds to go in the half. Halftime: Byram Hills 20, Pearl River 19.
Third quarter
Wolf is the one player on the court who presents a matchup problem. He’s got a quick four this half and Byram Hills is up 24-21. … Ryan Houston is playing with more juice this half and just knotted the score with a thee-point play. … Kendall and Houston trade 3s. Time out with 4:18 to go in the quarter. Bobcats are in front 31-29. … The biggest lead for either team was five. … Byram Hills is back to straight man. Pirates are looking to attack the rim now and two free throws from Houston make it a 5-0 run. Pearl River is up 34-31 with 1:54 to go in the third. … He’s all over the place. Wolf hauls in a defense rebound, then in short time sets up for and drops a casual 3 with 3.2 seconds to go. Byram Hills 37, Pearl River 36.
Fourth quarter
Pritts has become an impact player in the last month. His corner 3 just knotted the score 39-39 with 6:46 to play. … Both teams are clearly feeling some pressure. We’ve had a couple of miscues in the last minute. Lenese ends a two-minute Pirates drought and it’s 41-41. … Byram Hills is back in the flow. Wolf gets two in the paint and Cole Brocchini forces a timeout with a bucket. Bobcats are leading 45-41 with 3:54 to go. … Kendall misses twice in traffic and the contact created contact issues. Byram Hills takes a time out. He can see again. … Wolf off the dribble gets around Lanese at the rim and scores. Bobcats are up 47-43 with 2:02 left. … Pearl River is running quick-hitters. Houston and Brendan Orr are doing their best to keep it close. Pirates trail 49-47 with 59.8 seconds remaining. … Smart move. Pearl River gave to fouls and now have four so they can stop the clock down the stretch and put Byram Hills at the line. … Pirates have a 3 spin out with 13 seconds to go. Aiden Sokolof blocks the putback attempt. Wolf gets out on the break and is hit from behind with 9.1 seconds to go. Lanese has fouled out. Wolf misses both free throws. The lead remains 51-47. Final: Byram Hills 51, Pearl River 47.
This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Mamaroneck gets Mount Vernon in Section 1 Class AAA championship game
Reporting by Mike Dougherty, Rockland/Westchester Journal News / Rockland/Westchester Journal News
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
